Mobile that allows bosses to snoop on staff developed: Via BBC News.

Researchers have produced a mobile phone that could be a boon for prying bosses wanting to keep tabs on the movements of their staff.

Japanese phone giant KDDI Corporation has developed technology that tracks even the tiniest movement of the user and beams the information back to HQ.

It works by analysing the movement of accelerometers, found in many handsets.

Activities such as walking, climbing stairs or even cleaning can be identified, the researchers say.

The company plans to sell the service to clients such as managers, foremen and employment agencies.

"Technically, I think this is an incredibly important innovation," says Philip Sugai, director of the mobile consumer lab at the International University of Japan. [ Read more ... ]

The Cell Phone Network: Law Enforcement's Surveillance Dream: Via Blog of Rights: Official Blog of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Yesterday, WNYC's On the Media (OTM) profiled our cell phone tracking case. In this case, the ACLU, Center for Democracy and Technology and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) asked the court to require that the government at least show probable cause before it can ask a wireless provider to fork over information about your whereabouts using GPS or cell tower tracking via your cell phone. We won in the district court (PDF); the government appealed that decision to the 3rd Circuit. [ Read more ... ]

Introducing the iKey – Apple's answer to the humble door key: Via Telegraph(UK).

Apple has already revolutionised the personal stereo and mobile phone, but now the computer firm behind the iPhone has its sights set on the humble front door key.

The computer giant, which manufactures the iPod and iPhone, has plans to replace the traditional door key with a hi-tech alternative.

It is developing technology, already being nicknamed the "iKey", which will mean that rather than carrying around a bunch of keys, people will be able to use a single electronic device to unlock their car, front door and gain access to their office.

Users would simply have to enter a pin code and wave the device over an electronic pad fitted beside a door to open it.

The technology is revealed in a newly published patent application, which has generated speculation that the next model of the iPhone will contain this feature. [ Read more ... ]

Thousands Sign Petition Protesting Net Neutrality Loopholes for Copyright Enforcement: Via EFF.org Updates.

San Francisco - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) submitted a petition signed by more than 7000 people to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today demanding that the agency close a loophole for copyright enforcement in its proposed regulations for network neutrality.

The petition is part of EFF's reply comments in the FCC's net neutrality rulemaking. The FCC's proposed rules generally prohibit ISPs from discriminating or blocking lawful content, but include a loophole for 'reasonable network management' by ISPs. The proposed rules then define 'reasonable network management" to include measures taken by ISPs to block unlawful content or transmissions. This exception would effectively permit ISPs to violate net neutrality rules and block lawful activities in the name of copyright enforcement.

"We can't afford to let lawful speech become collateral damage in Hollywood's war on copyright infringement," said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Fred von Lohmann. "Net neutrality regulations should not excuse ISPs that interfere with lawful content just because they claim they were acting as copyright cops." [ Read more ... ]

Open Wi-Fi 'outlawed' by Digital Economy Bill(UK)k: Via ZDNet.co.uk .

The government will not exempt universities, libraries and small businesses providing open Wi-Fi services from its Digital Economy Bill copyright crackdown, according to official advice released earlier this week.

This would leave many organisations open to the same penalties for copyright infringement as individual subscribers, potentially including disconnection from the internet, leading legal experts to say it will become impossible for small businesses and the like to offer Wi-Fi access.

Lilian Edwards, professor of internet law at Sheffield University, told ZDNet UK on Thursday that the scenario described by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in an explanatory document would effectively "outlaw open Wi-Fi for small businesses", and would leave libraries and universities in an uncertain position. [ Read more ... ]

EPIC Urges Congress to Adopt Privacy Safeguards for Locational Data: Via EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information Center .

Today, EPIC submitted comments for an upcoming joint hearing on "The Collection and Use of Location Information for Commercial Purposes." EPIC cited the growing uses of location data for advertising and tracking purposes, typically without any legal protections, and noted widespread support among US and European consumer organizations for clear protections. EPIC recommended that Congress establish strong rules, similar to those in the European Union Eprivacy Directive, that would give users meaningful control over their locational data. EPIC had previously recommended that the F.C.C. establish guidelines for the protection of users' locational privacy. For more information, see EPIC: CPNI.

Read Original Article:(Via EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information Center .)

iPhone Privacy, Security Not What Apple Claims, Researcher Says: Via PCWorld.

Apple's claims about iPhone privacy and security are exaggerated, according to software engineer and security expert Nicolas Seriot, who gave a presentation yesterday about the iPhone at the Black Hat Conference in DC.

Apple's sandboxing technology restricts iPhone applications to operating system resources with a list of deny/allow rules at the kernel level, but these and other permissions are "way too loose," and "Apple should not claim that an application cannot access data from another application," said Seriot, who works as an iPhone programming trainer at a company called Sen:te. [ Read more ... ]

Cell Phone Users: Your Privacy is at Risk: Via Blog of Rights: Official Blog of the American Civil Liberties Union.

(Originally posted on Philly.com)

If you own a cell phone, you should care about the outcome of a case scheduled to be argued in federal appeals court in Philadelphia tomorrow. It could well decide whether the government can use your cell phone to track you — even if it hasn't shown probable cause to believe it will turn up evidence of a crime.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy and Technology will ask the court to require that the government at least show probable cause before it can track your whereabouts.

Although most people don't realize it, cell phones double as tracking devices. Newer phones contain GPS chips, the same technology that allows car navigation systems to know where you are and give directions ("Turn right now"). But even older phones that don't have chips can be tracked by knowing the location of the cell towers they use to connect to a network. [ Read more ... ]

EFF Fights Illegal Search of Cell Phone in Thursday Hearing: Via EFF.org Updates.

Redwood City, Calif. - On Thursday, February 18, at 9:00 a.m., the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will urge a judge in Redwood City, California, to suppress evidence illegally gathered from an iPhone.

In People v. Taylor, police in Daly City, California, seized the suspect's phone during his arrest. Hours later, investigators searched through the data on the device -- including contacts, called phone numbers, emails, text messages, Internet search history, and photos -- without a search warrant. Police later obtained a search warrant for the phone, based in part on information gathered during the initial illegal search.

In Thursday's hearing, EFF Senior Staff Attorney Marcia Hofmann will ask the court to suppress the illegally gathered evidence and quash the warrant based on that improperly collected information. [ Read more ... ]

Cellular user privacy at risk: Via Philadelphia Inquirer .

If you own a cell phone, you should care about the outcome of a case scheduled to be argued in federal appeals court in Philadelphia tomorrow. It could well decide whether the government can use your cell phone to track you - even if it hasn't shown probable cause to believe it will turn up evidence of a crime.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy and Technology will ask the court to require that the government at least show probable cause before it can track your whereabouts.

Although most people don't realize it, cell phones double as tracking devices. Newer phones contain GPS chips, [ Read more ... ]

Jurors: Stop Twittering: Via Threat Level.

A federal court policy making body is belatedly entering the internet age by proposing that judges clearly inform jurors they must not electronically discuss cases they are hearing.

It’s standard procedure to inform jurors to remain mum and not conduct any research about the case until a verdict. But recent gadget use by jurors has forced the hand of the Judicial Conference, the policy making body of the U.S. federal courts.

“You may not communicate with anyone about the case on your cell phone, through e-mail, Blackberry, iPhone, text messaging, or on Twitter, through any blog or website, through any internet chat room, or by way of any other social networking websites, including Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and YouTube,” (.pdf) according to the model jury instructions the Judicial Conference released days ago to the federal judiciary. [ Read more ... ]

EFF Asks Court to Suppress Evidence Illegally Gathered From Password-Protected Phone: Via EFF.org Updates.

Our cell phones aren't just for calls anymore. They hold our address books, our calendars, our emails, and our grocery lists. They may even include things like a list of questions to ask your doctor, pictures of your girlfriend, or URLs of web sites you've visited. When can police search your phone and look at all this information?

That's the question that EFF is asking a court in California to consider. In People v. Taylor, police in Daly City, California seized a suspect's iPhone during his arrest. Hours later, investigators bypassed the password and searched through the data on the device without a search warrant. After the officers realized that the information was too extensive to write down, they finally obtained a warrant to search the phone. [ Read more ... ]

EFF Fights for Cell Phone Users' Privacy in Thursday Hearing: Via EFF.org Updates.

Philadelphia - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will be arguing this Thursday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia, urging the court to block a government attempt to seize telephone company records detailing a cell phone user's past locations without first getting a search warrant. [ Read more ... ]

Busting an iPhone thief: Via (Twitter via @clarinette02 @technollama) How to catch an iPhone thief Blog at BlogSpot.com .

The whole thing started when my plane landed in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon at 2:55pm coming from Cabo San Lucas. The guy sitting next to me on the plane asked me to loan him a pen so that he could fill out his customs form. I watched him fill out the form and clearly remember his birth year of 1984, but am a bit unsure about his name. I think it was -----, but in this story, we will refer to him as Pinche.

[...]

When I got to my office, I pulled up the MobileMe site and used the Find My Phone feature. To my surprise, the phone was in Sun Valley at a Daniel's Taco Stand!!! My conclusion was that the phone had actually fallen in Pinche’s bag and he was driving around without knowing that he has my phone!

Why did I assume this? Because if I were to steal an iPhone, I would unload it fast. I would not want to drive around with homing device after committing a crime! I wrote down the address in Sun Valley. [ Read more ... ]

Fishy Android apps may have been malware, says researcher: Via Computerworld Security News.

Dubious apps appear, then disappear, from Google's Android Market

Suspicious applications that may have stolen users' online banking credentials have appeared on the Android Market, the Google-run app store for its mobile operating system.

Although the potentially-malicious applications first appeared on Google's online mart in December, news of them went public only today as several outlets and security companies noticed warnings posted by banks and credit unions. Google has since removed the applications from the online market.

One of those financial institutions, BayPort Credit Union of Newport News, Va., posted its alert Dec. 22 about a rogue Android app that promised its members easy access to their online banking. "It is believed that fraudsters deployed fraudulent mobile banking applications to the Android Marketplace, using a phishing technique to attempt to gain access to mobile banking users financial information," said BayPort's warning.

First Tech Credit Union of Portland Ore. -- it also has branches in Salem and Eugene, Ore., as well as in the Seattle, Wash. area -- issued a similar warning the same day. [ Read more ... ]

I have a question for my readers. My local public library has recently installed a gateway to its public wifi that asks you to accept their user agreement before you can use it. So far no problem, but after you have gotten on there is now a small toolbar that goes across the top of the page that is promoting links that point to library resources. Unfortunately the tech in my branch has no details and didn't even know about this toolbar till I pointed it out to them. [ Read more ... ]

Verizon: metered billing much fairer than all-you-can-eat: Via Law & Disorder Section - Ars Technica.

Verizon Wireless' top engineer, Dick Lynch, was at it again during CES, setting the stage for a world in which Verizon moves away from flat-rate pricing and adopts metered billing instead. Lynch, a staple on the conference circuit, has made such comments for some time, and they regularly draw a negative reaction from consumers. But to Lynch, it's a matter of fairness—and a response to a newly "open" wireless world.

First, when it comes to traditional data usage from 3G smartphones and laptop cards, Lynch argues that buffet economics produce unfair subsidies to the heaviest users. [ Read more ... ]

Is Google's Nexus One phone any good? : Via |Technology |The Guardian(UK).

Above all, though, you are stepping through a portal into Google's world. On first use, the phone prompts you to log into your Google account – within seconds it has synchronised your email, web searches, contacts book and any other information you happen to keep with the company. Convenient for you, but also – thanks to the constant stream of data being fed back to California – handy for Google. You're now a satellite-tracked, walking, talking, web-surfing recruit into Google's informationalised army. [ Read more ... ]

Obama can't have a BlackBerry. Should your CEO?: Via Computerworld Privacy News.

The press has been all over President-Elect Barack Obama's addiction to his BlackBerry and the possibility that he might have to give it up for reasons of national security. But no one in the media seems to be asking the most logical follow-up question: Is the cybertechnology that can compromise the future chief executive's BlackBerry also a threat to mobile devices being used every day by thousands of senior executives in corporate America?

One security expert, Ron Cochoran, president of RER Technology, answers that question quite succinctly: "If the president can't use it for security reasons, then there's obviously something wrong with the security system."

The prohibition against BlackBerrys in the White House actually started with President George W. Bush's administration. [ Read more ... ]

Hackers show it's easy to snoop on a GSM call: Via Computerworld Security News.

Computer security researchers say that the GSM phones used by the majority of the world's mobile-phone users can be listened in on with just a few thousand dollars worth of hardware and some free open-source tools.

In a presentation given Sunday at the Chaos Communication Conference in Berlin, researcher Karsten Nohl said that he had compiled 2 terabytes worth of data -- cracking tables that can be used as a kind of reverse phone-book to determine the encryption key used to secure a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) telephone conversation or text message.

While Nohl stopped short of releasing a GSM-cracking device -- that would be illegal in many countries, including the U.S. -- he said he divulged information that has been common knowledge in academic circles and made it "practically useable." [ Read more ... ]

Obama cyber czar pick looks to secure smartphones, social nets: Via Computerworld Security News.

Calls on social media firms to alert users about various security threats

The new cybersecurity coordinator favors government promotion of education, research and prodding vendors to produce more secure products that will work their way into everyday use. "What is the government doing to make sure universities and companies have dollars to do research that will enhance security?" Schmidt said in a 2008 interview with Computer World. "There is R&D that needs to be done that may not benefit homeland security but it might create the next generation of the Internet that is more secure."

He thinks Internet security is greatly improved since the mid-1990s when he ranked the impact of a foreign cyberattack in the United States at 5 or 6 on a scale of one to 10, with 10 meaning attacks would have no effect. That has improved to 8 or 9 because the number of attack vectors has been reduced. "We have the ability to turn back attacks. We also could shut down systems that might be under attack and bring them internal," he says. [ Read more ... ]

Cellphone Searches: Via NYT > Privacy.

The Ohio Supreme Court has struck an important blow for privacy rights, ruling that the police need a warrant to search a cellphone. The court rightly recognized that cellphones today are a lot more than just telephones, that they hold a wealth of personal information and that the privacy interest in them is considerable. This was the first such ruling from a state supreme court. It is a model for other courts to follow.

Searches generally require warrants, but courts have carved out limited categories in which they are not needed. One of these is that police officers are allowed, when they arrest people, to search them and the area immediately surrounding them, as well as some kinds of containers in their possession. [ Read more ... ]

Big wireless to FCC: be consistent—except when it benefits us: Via Law & Disorder Section - Ars Technica.

Lobbying is a fast and furious game, one where the lobbyists must make every attempt to present things that benefit their industry as if they are a triumph of dispassionate reason—even when their positions seem to contradict one another.

The wireless phone industry filed a document (PDF) Tuesday with the FCC that led us to ponder the mysteries of the lobbyists, [ Read more ... ]

Data Mining in the Mobile World: Via NPR Science Friday Archive.

Data collected from mobile electronics such as cell phones has the potential to aid research in a wide variety of fields -- from predicting traffic patterns to studying air quality. But how can researchers balance personal privacy and the desire to take full advantage of real-time data analysis technologies? In this segment, we'll talk about the potential benefits offered by such data collection, and about the risks to privacy. [ Read more ... ]

EFF minilinks for 2009-16-12: Via EFF.org Updates.

• NYT Editorial: Twitter Tapping
  The Times' editorial board speaks out in support of EFF's lawsuit seeking government guidelines for the monitoring of social networking sites.
  
• District Court: Personal E-Mail From Work Still Privileged
  A federal prosecutor had a reasonable expectation of privacy when he sent personal email to his lawyer over government computers, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled.
  [ Read more ... ]
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